Multiple contact electrical switch



Oct. 20, 1959 E. F. MOORMAN 2,909,625

MULTIPLE CONTACT ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 19, 1958 I .VVENTOE fize;MOOJQMAN Ar-r ozezvs v United States Patent Cfiice 2,909,625 PatentedOct. 20, 1959' 2,909,625 MULTIPLE CONTACT ELECTRICAL swrrcn Earl F.Moorman, Elmhurst, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 19,'1958, Serial No. 762,014

1'1 Claims. (Cl. 200-16) This invention relates to electrical switches;More specifically the invention relates to a multiple contact electricalswitch particularly useful in connection with heavy duty operation.

It is a prime object of this invention to provide an improved andgreatly simplified electrical switch having a plurality of contactswhich may be operated in sequence.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedmultiple contact switch assembly particularly adapted for sequentialoperation, the'assembly being such that additional switch elements andcontacts may be readily added if desired.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improvedheavy duty electrical switch with a plurality of switch elements andcontacts which are normally kept in an open position by means ofsprings, the said springs having a varying modulus of strength wherebysequential operation results during the actuation of the switch, thesprings being readily replaceable so that springs of equal strength canbe utilized if simultaneous contact of all of the switch elements andcontact elements is desired.

A more specific object is the provision of an improved heavy dutyelectrical switch comprising essentially a reciprocating elongatedelement carrying a plurality of switch elements and contacts, the saidswitch elements and contacts being separated by means of a plurality ofsprings having various strength factors, the said switch including astop which is engageable by one of the switch elements during movementof the rod whereby the contacts will engage the switch elements insequential operation.

These and further objects will become more readily apparent from areading of the specification when examined in connection with theaccompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through an improved electrical switchshowing the contacts of the switch in an open position;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional View of the electrical switch shown inFigure 1, the said view showing a stage in sequential operation of theswitch wherein two contact elements are shown in closed position; I

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the improved switch shown inFigures 1 and 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through a switch element showing amodified construction.

Referring now particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a multiple switchassembly is generally designated by the reference character 10. Themultiple switch assembly 10 comprises a U-shaped frame or support 11having laterally spaced support members 12 provided with alignedopenings 13 and 14. An elongated actuating rod 15 is positioned toreciprocate with respect to the frame 11 through the aligned openings 13and 14. A tubular electrical insulating member 16 is suitably threadedon the rod' 15 to completely cover the same and to electrically insulatethe said rod 15 with respect to the support members 12. The tubularmember 16 may consist of fiber material and means.

An electrical insulating washer 17 includes an opening 18 and the saidwasher 17 is supported on the rod 15 which is adapted to slide withrespect to the opening 18. The washer 17 has limited sliding engagementon the rod 15 during movement of the rod 15 in one direction abuttingthe left support member 12 which, in effect, serves as a stop means. Thetubular insulator 16 si also provided at one end with a washer 19 whichserves as an electrical insulator with respect to a stop 20 secured tothe rod 15 by means of a transversely extending pin 21.

. A plurality of dish-shaped switch elements 22, 23 and 24 are slidinglysupported on the rod 15. The switch element 22 comprises a disk-shapedwall 25 having an opening 26 through which the rod 15 extends. Theelement 22 further comprises a peripherally extending annular flange 27which serves as a contact. The dishshaped switch element 23 comprises adisk type wall 28 having an opening 29 through which the rod 15 extends,the said element 23 also including a peripheral flange 30 which servesas a contact. The dish-shaped switch element 24 comprises a wall 31having a hole 32 through which the rod 15 extends, the said wallincluding a peripherally extending flange 33 serving as a contact. Thedishshaped switch elements 22, 23 and 24 are spaced in longitudinallyspaced relation on the rod 15. A contact plate 34 having an opening 35is supported on the rod 15 between the switch elements 22 and 23. Acontact element 36 having an opening 37 is positioned between the switchelements 23 and 24. A contact plate or element 38 is positioned betweenthe switch element 24 and the stop 20. Electrical insulating washers 34and 36 are respectively positioned between the contact plates 34 andswitch element 23, and between the contact plate 36 and switch element24. An electrical insulating disk 40 having an opening 41 is positionedimmediately adjacent the wall 25 of the switch element 22. An electricalinisnlating washer 42 having an opening 43 is positioned against thewall 28 of the switch element 23. An electrical insulating washer 44 ispositioned against the wall 31 of the switch element 24. The washer 44includes an opening 45 through which the rod 15 is threaded. A pluralityof coil springs 46 47 and 48 are supported on the rod 15. The coilspring 46 is positionedbetween the switch elements 22 and the plate 34.The spring 47 is positioned between the switch element 23 and thecontact element 36. The spring 48 is positioned between the switchelement24 and the disk 19 and stop 20. The coil springs are sopositioned as to urge the switch elements and contact plates in adirection toward the stop 20. Thus the springs force the stop 20 againstthe right support 12 as shown in Figure l.

' Electrical conductors 49 and 50 are respectively connected to theswitch element 22 and the contact plate 50. Electrical conductors 51 and52 are respectively connected to the switch element 23 and contact plate36. Electrical conductors 53 and 54 are respectively connected to theswitch element 24 and the contact plate 38.

' In the operation of the switch assembly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3,actuation of the switch is obtained by moving the rod 15 in thedirection of the arrow shown in Figure 2. The rod 15 may be moved inthis direction by a solenoid (not shown), by a suitable governor (notshown),by a manual lever (not shown), or by any other suitable actuatingmeans wherein the shaft 15 may be moved in the direction of the arrow.

If sequential operation of the switches 22, 23, and 24 is desired, thenthe spring 46 will be heavier having a heavier modulus of strength thanthe spring 47. Likewise the spring 47 will have a greater modulus ofstrength than the spring 48. Thus when movement of the rod 15 is in thedirection of the arrow shown in Figure 2, the contact plate 38 willinitially engage the flange 33 thus closing the electrical circuit madeby conductors 53 and 54. Upon continued movement of the rod 15, thecontact plate 36 will engage the flange 30 making connection be tweenthe conductors 5.1 and 52. Since, the spring 46 is the heavier, the lastto close will be the contact 34 with respect to the flange 27. Thus itcan be seen that sequential operation of the switch is accomplished. By.merely changing the springs to secure difierent strength factors,different sequences of operation can result. Or if all of the springsare of the same strength, simultane ous closing of all the circuits willbe accomplished. While three switch elements and contact plates havebeen shown, it is, of course, readily apparent that many more may beassembled on a suitable frame with similar satisfactory operation.Furthermore, the switch may be constructed with only two switch elementsand contact platesi Another sequence of operation for instance could behad by constructing the spring 47, heavier than the other springs, thesaid springs 47 thus having a considerably greater strength factor. Thusupon operation of the rod 50 the switch element 23 and contact plate 36would close last. Thus it can be seen that many difierent arrangementscan be satisfactorily accomplished. If sequential operation is desiredfrom a single source of electricity, the contact plates 34, 36, washers34, 36' and the conductors 50, and 52 can be eliminated and the switchmay be operated in sequence or in concert depending upon the strength ofthe springs employed.

The modification shown in Figure 4 shows a switch element 56 having anannular wall 57 to which an electrical insulating disk 58 is connectedby means of rivets 59. The disk 58 may be of fiber or similar electricalinsulating material. The wall 57 is also provided with a flange orannular contact element 60. This, and other similar arrangements can beused with this switch.

It can be seen in Figures 1 and 2 that in all instances the electricalconducting parts are suitably insulated from each other. Variousdevices, of course, can be included for achieving such insulation indifferent ways. It is readily now apparent that the objects of theinvention have been fully achieved and that an improved heavy dutyelectrical switch has been provided. Changes and modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed orthe scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple electrical switch comprising a U-shaped greater degreethan the other spring whereby said disks are moved sequentially intocontact with said contact surfaces of said first and second switchmembers.

2. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, a rod slidinglysupported on said support, a tubular electrical insulator covering aportion of said rod and movable therewith, first and second dish-shapedswitch members slidingly positioned on said tubular insulator inrelative longitudinally spaced and coaxially aligned relation, each ofsaid dish-shaped switch members having peripherally disposed annularflanges providing contact surfaces, first and second contact disksslidingly positioned on said tubular insulator in longitudinally spacedrelation, said first disk being disposed between said first and secondswitch members and being electrically insulated with respect to saidsecond switch member, a stop element on said rod disposed adjacent saidsecond switch member, said seconddisk being electrically insulated onespring is initially compressed to a greater degree than the other springwhereby said disks are moved sequentially into contact with said contactsurfaces of said first and second switch members. 7

3'. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support,

I a rod slidingly supported on said support, a tubular elecsupporthaving a pair of laterally spacedgenerally aligned L on said tubularinsulator in relative longitudinally spaced I and coaxially alignedrelation between'said support members, each of said dish shaped switchmembers having peripherally disposed annular flanges providing contactsurfaces, first and second contact disks slidingly positioned on saidtubular insulator in longitudinally spaced relation, said first diskbeing disposed between said first and second switch members and beingelectrically insulated withrespect to said second switch member, a stopelement on said rod between one of said support members and said secondswitch member, said second disk being electrically insulated from saidstop and being positioned between said stop and said second switchmember, a first spring positioned on said tubular insulator between saidfirst switch member and said first disk,.and a second spring on saidtubular insulator between said second disk and said second switchmember, said springs normally urging said disks in a first directiontoward said stop, said springs having a different modulus of strengthwhereby during movement of said rod in a direction to compress saidsprings, said stop engages said second disk to move trical insulatorcovering a portionof said rod and movable therewith, first and seconddish-shaped switch members slidingly positioned on said tubularinsulator in relative longitudinally spaced and coaxially alignedrelation, each of said switch members having contact surfaces, first andsecond contact disks slidingly positioned on said tubular insulator inlongitudinally spaced relation, said first disk being disposed betweensaid first and second switch members and being electrically insulatedwith respect to said second switch member, a stop element on said roddisposed adjacent said second switch member, said second disk beingelectrically insulated from said stop and being positioned between saidstop and said second switch member, a first spring positioned on saidtubular insulator between said first switch member and said first disk,and a second spring on said tubular insulator between said second diskand said second switch member, said springs normally urging said disksin a first direction toward said stop, said springs having a differentmodulus of strength whereby during movement of said rod in a directionto compress said springs, said stop engages said second disk to move thesame, and one spring is initially compressed to a greater degree thanthe other spring whereby said disks are moved sequentially into contactwith said contact surfaces of said first and second switch members.

4. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, a rod slidinglysupported on said support, a tubular electrical insulator on said rodand movable therewith, first and second dish-shaped switch membersslidingly positioned on said tubular insulator in relativelongitudinally spaced and coaxially aligned relation, each of saidswitch members having contact surfaces, first and second contact disksslidingly positioned on said tubular insulator in longitudinally spacedrelation, said first disk being disposed between said first and secondswitch members, a stop element on said rod disposed adjacent said secondswitch member, said second disk being positioned between said stop andsaid second switch member, afirst spring positioned onsaid tubularinsulator between said first switch member and said first disk, and asecond spring on said tubular insulator between said second disk andsaid second switch member, said springs normally urging said disks in afirst direction toward said stop, said springs having a differentmodulusof strength whereby during movement of said rod in a direction tocompress said springs, said stop engages said second disk to move thesame, and one spring is initially compressed to a greater degree thanthe other spring whereby said disks are moved sequentially into contactwith said contact surfaces of said first and second switch members.

5. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, an actuatingmember slidingly supported on said support, first and second switchmembers slidingly positioned on said actuating member in relativelongitudinally spaced and coaxially aligned relation and beingelectrically insulated with respect to said actuating member, each ofsaid switch members having contact surfaces, first and second contactdisks slidingly positioned on said actuating member in longitudinallyspaced relation, said first disk being disposed between said first andsecond switch members, a first stop element on said rod disposedadjacent said second switch member, said second disk being positionedbetween said stop and said second switch member, a second stop elementon said support engageable by said first switch member, a first springpositioned between said first switch member and said first disk, and asecond spring between said second disk and said second switch member,said springs normally urging said disks in a first direction toward saidfirst stop, said springs having a different modulus of strength wherebyduring movement of said actuating member in a direction toward saidsecond stop to compress said springs, said first stop engages saidsecond disk to move the same, said first switch member engages saidsecond stop and one spring is initially compressed to a greater degreethan the other spring whereby said disks are moved sequentially intocontact with said contact surfaces of said first and second switchmembers.

6. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, an actuating rodpositioned on said support for relative reciprocation, said supportincluding a first stop member,

first and second switch elements slidingly positioned on said rod, saidfirst and second switch elements having contact surfaces extendingtransversely with respect to said rod, a first contact member positionedin sliding relation on said rod between said first and second switchelements, a second stop member on said rod, a second contact memberslidingly positioned on said rod between said second stop and saidsecond switch elements, a first spring on said rod between said switchelement and said first contact member, a second spring between secondswitch element and said second contact member, said springs normallyurging said switch elements and contact member in a direction towardsaid second stop, said springs having a difierent modulus of strengthwhereby during movement of said rod and second stop toward said firststop, said first switch element engages said first stop and said contactmembers are moved in sequence into engagement with said contactsurfaces.

7. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, an actuating rodpositioned on said support for relative reciprocation, said supportincluding a first stop member, first and second switch elementsslidingly positioned on said rod, said first and second switch elementshaving contact surfaces extending transversely with respect to said rod,a first contact member positioned in sliding relation on said rodbetween said first and second switch elements, a second stop member onsaid rod, a second contact member slidingly positioned on said rodbetween said second stop and said second switch elements, a firstresilient member between said switch element and said first contactmember, a second resilient member between second switch element and saidsecond contact member, said resilient member normally urging said switchelements and contact member in a direction toward said second stop, saidresilient member having a different modulus of strength whereby duringmovement of said rod and second stop toward said first stop, said firstswitch element engages said first stop and said contact members andsecond switch element are moved toward said first switch element wherebysaid contact members are moved in sequence into engagement with saidcontact surfaces.

8. A multiple electrical switch comprising a support, an actuating rodpositioned on said support for relative reciprocation, said supportincluding a first stop member, first and second switch elements movablypositioned on said rod, said first and second switch elements havingcontact surfaces extending transversely with respect to said rod, afirst contact member movably positioned between said first and secondswitch elements, a second stop member movably positioned on said rod, asecond contact member movably positioned on said rod between said secondstop and said second switch elements, a first resilient member betweensaid switch element and said first contact member, a second resilientmember between second switch element and said second contact member,said resilient member normally urging said switch elements and contactmember in a direction toward said second stop, said resilient memberhaving a different modulus of strength whereby during movement of saidrod and second stop toward said first stop, said first switch elementengages said first stop and said contact members and second switchelement are moved toward said first switch element whereby said contactmembers are moved in sequence into engagement with said contactsurfaces.

9. An electric switch comprising a support, an elongated memberreciprocally positioned on said support, a first stop on said support, afirst switch element supported on said elongated member for relativesliding movement and adapted to engage said first stop, a second switchelement slidingly supported on said elongated member in longitudinallyspaced relation with respect to said first switch member, a firstcontact member slidingly supported on said elongated member between saidfirst switch element and said second switch element, first spring meansurging said first contact member and said second switch element in afirst direction away from said first stop, a second stop on saidelongated member, a second contact member between said second stop andsaid second switch element, and second spring means urging said secondcontact element in the first direction, said spring means having adifferent modulus of strength whereby during movement of said elongatedmember in a second direction toward said first stop said second stopengages said second contact member, and said springs are compressed andsaid contact members make contact with said switch elements in sequence.

10. An electric switch comprising a support, an elongated memberreciprocally positioned on said support, a stop on said support, a firstswitch element supported on said elongated member for relative slidingmovement and adapted to engage said stop, a second switch elementslidingly supported on said elongated member in longitudinally spacedrelation with respect to said first switch member, a first contactmember slidingly supported on said elongated member between said firstswitch element and said second switch element, first spring means urgingsaid first contact member and said second switch element in a firstdirection away from said stop, a second contact member on said elongatedmember spaced from said second switch element, and second spring meansurging said second contact element in the first direction, said springmeans having a diiferent modulus of strength whereby during movement ofsaid elongated member in a second direction toward said stop saidsprings are compressed and said contact members make contact with saidswitch elements in sequence.

11. An electric switch comprising a support, an elon- 7 gated memberreciprocally positioned on said support, a stop on said support, a firstswitch element supported on said elongated member for relative slidingmovement and adapted to engage said stop, a second switch elementslidingly supported on said elongated member in longitudinally spacedrelation with respect to said first switch member, a first contactmember slidingly supported on said elongated member between said firstswitch element and said second switch element, first spring means urgingsaid first contact member and said second switch element in a firstdirection away from said stop, a second contact member on said elongatedmember spaced from said second switch element, and second spring meanstion toward said stop said springs are compressed and said contactmembers make contact with said switch ele-t ments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS983,976 Carpenter Feb. 14, 191 1 1,305,963 Dickerson June 3, 19191,844,731 Whittingham Feb, 9, 1932'

